Dr. Long

Some say that you are never fully dressed without a smile. I have to agree.  Your smile tells a lot about who you are, and can make or break your first impression.

Dr. Long is dedicated to your smile! I'll admit, I'm obsessed with my teeth.  As I've aged, they have moved, and I am not happy about it.  I only recently found out that there are several options for me - and those options don't include the tin-tooth brace face that plagued my 7th grade memories.

I went to Dr. Long's website to get more information, here is what I found out:

Dr. Long has practiced orthodontics in the Northern Indiana area since 2003. It is important to him to raise his family in a community with the same morals and values that he grew up with in his hometown of LaOtto, IN. Dr. Long’s hobbies include spending quality time with his family, vintage Shelby Mustangs, and a variety of sports including weight lifting, running, rugby, and attempting to play golf.

 You may have noticed that our doctor specializes in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the dentofacial orthopedics part of the title.

Every orthodontist starts out in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Others choose to pursue a specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two- to three-year residency program. There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association. Some you are likely familiar with: Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children), Periodontics (dentistry focusing on the gums), and Oral Surgery.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is one of the nine specialties. Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. Appliances are frequently used — the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's actually undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Being skilled in both areas, our doctor is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.

I have some questions for Dr. Long!  Not only about my smile, but my daughter's too.  And honestly, how many times do you get the opportunity to talk with a doctor and get his opinion...for free?